Digital Farmstand: Ball® brand products Partners With Fresh Nation to Give Fans of Farmers' Markets Canning Resources to Savor Best Fresh, Local Produce

DALEVILLE, Ind., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jarden Home Brands, makers of Ball® brand fresh preserving products, is making it easier than ever for farmers' market patrons to start canning by partnering with Fresh Nation, an online resource that connects consumers with farmers' markets, giving them a platform to communicate and conduct commerce and enhance the farmers' market experience.

More Americans than ever are shopping at farmers' markets as evidenced by a nearly 10% increase in direct-sales since last year (source: U.S. Department of Agriculture). With the canning trend hotter than ever, Ball^® brand products is an early supporter of Fresh Nation's innovative approach to using technology to make fresh and local produce even more accessible.  

"We're thrilled to be partnering with an innovative company like Fresh Nation whose mission is very much in line with ours - to enable more consumers than ever to enjoy the freshest foods year-round," said Steve Hungsberg, Sr. Brand Manager of Marketing for Ball^® brand fresh preserving products. "Ball^® brand products has been a longtime sponsor of farmers' markets annually and we're excited to offer consumers nationwide more canning knowledge online through Fresh Nation."

As the official "Canning and Food Preservation" resource, Ball^® brand products will offer canning instructions, videos and more to teach farmers' market shoppers how to preserve their fresh produce. Many of the country's farmers' markets remain open year-round or through the fall season. Fall is an ideal time to learn how to can delicious seasonal items like corn, apples and squash. 

A longtime leader in home canning, Ball^® brand products has long embraced technology to share recipes and instruction for fresh preserving. On the brand's Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/BallCanning, over 50,000 enthusiastic fans share their home canning experiences along with Ball^® brand home canning products' experts. The brand also recently launched its official Pinterest page, www.Pinterest.com/BallCanning, to provide inspiration for consumers on home canning, as well as home decor using the iconic Ball^® jar. On the brand's website, www.FreshPreserving.com, consumers can find easy recipes, step-by-step canning instructions and videos making it easier than ever to get started.

Launched in July 2012, Fresh Nation brings canning digital through its Ball^® brand products curated resources section. Fresh Nation was created by farmers' market professionals to make the experience of buying fresh, local food more rewarding for consumers and vendors alike. Fresh Nation helps consumers find and connect with farmers' markets in their regions by building free online profiles for farmers' markets and market vendors which they can use to connect with their customers.  Consumers are encouraged to "favorite" the markets and vendors they frequent allowing them to receive messages announcing new product introductions, product information, and special deals and discounts. They can also pre-order online. There are over 250 farmers' markets and 450 vendors registered on the Fresh Nation site.

For additional information on Ball^® brand fresh preserving products, visit www.FreshPreserving.com. Additional details about Fresh Nation can be found at www.FreshNation.com.

About Jarden Corporation
Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of a diverse range of consumer products with a portfolio of over 100 trusted, quality brands sold globally. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, Aero®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, ExOfficio®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Volkl® and Zoot®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®; and Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bernardin®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®,  Lillo®, Loew Cornell®, Mapa®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, Quickie®, Spontex® and Tigex®. Headquartered in Rye, N.Y., Jarden ranks #371 on the Fortune 500 and has over 23,000 employees worldwide. For in-depth information about Jarden, please visit www.jarden.com.

©2012 Hearthmark, LLC dba Jarden Home Brands. All Rights Reserved.
Distributed by Hearthmark, LLC dba Jarden Home Brands, Daleville, IN 47334.
Hearthmark, LLC is a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH).
Ball® and Ball®, TMs Ball Corporation, used under license.
All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Jarden Home Brands